5 ms·

Why not just public? It makes perfect sense.

• chrisseaton 8y ago
  Because it's literally the opposite meaning to most other countries.
  • imesh 8y ago
    No, it's opposite of Britain, most countries are in line with the USA in this regard, including former British Colonies like Australia. Britians history is the only reason their version sense, it's very unintuitive.
    • tialaramex 8y ago
      Yup. Lots of things are weird in Britain because it's old, this doesn't make those things a good idea to be copied. Though it also isn't a reason to dismiss them. Old isn't necessarily bad. Britain's railway signalling is crazy because Britain's railways pre-date railway signalling. If you build a brand new railway you definitely shouldn't repeat mistakes from the 19th century. Britain drives on the Left. Should you drive on the left too? Only if your neighbors do. But on the other hand Britain decided to buy up all the doctors and hospitals and stuff to give everybody healthcare and that's worked out pretty well.